18 AUGUST 2017

'Hammerin' Hank Faces Tough Test

Lundy Takes Out Williams

Knocking out would-be adversaries on foreign soil is nothing new for "Hammerin’" Hank Lundy, but tonight’s (March 21) challenge could prove to be the toughest, and perhaps most unique, of his young career.

Lundy (22-2-1, 11 KOs) challenges unbeaten Russian light welterweight Viktor Postol (21-0, 10 KOs) in a 12-round bout for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International title at Club Sportlife in Kiev, yet another road trip for boxing’s most prolific road warrior.

The 5-foot-11 Postol, ranked No. 3 by the WBC, has only fought once on U.S. soil with the majority of his bouts being held in his native Ukraine, whereas Lundy - a former North American Boxing Federation (NABF) and North American Boxing Organization (NABO) title-holder in the lightweight division who is now ranked No. 9 by the WBC - has made a career out of stealing the show inside various venues across the globe. Since 2009, the Philadelphia native has fought 10 fights at nine different venues, including stops in Quebec, where he dominated hometown favorite Omri Lowther on ESPN2, and Chicago, Ill., where he knocked out former world champion David Diaz.

While Postol is still unbeaten, Lundy boasts a superior edge in the strength of his competition; his losses have come against former world-title challenger John Molina and current NABF lightweight champion Raymundo Beltran. The two had a combined record of 45-7 when they fought Lundy.

Lundy’s victories have been even more impressive; starting with his knockout win over Aldo Valtierra in 2009, Lundy has dusted off a variety of elite opponents, including Tyrese Hendrix (21-3-1), who was unbeaten at the time, former Venezuelan Olympian Patrick Lopez (21-5), current World WBA lightweight champion Richard Abril (18-3-1) and power-puncher Dannie Williams (22-3), who entered his fight with Lundy ranked No. 2 in the NABF.

"Everyone knows ’Hammerin’’ Hank will fight anyone, anywhere at anytime," Lundy said. "I’ve proven myself time and time again on the road."

Not only is he facing another tough road test, Lundy is also moving up in weight from 135 pounds to 140. Though he’s fought most of his bouts in the lightweight division, Lundy has stepped up to 140 in the past with tremendous success, most recently against Lowther in Lowther’s backyard on short notice. Thursday will be Postol’s toughest test to date and perhaps his most challenging fight since he dominated former world champion DeMarcus Corley in October.

Thursday’s winner will continue to climb the WBC rankings and perhaps earn a world-title shot in the light welterweight division against the winner of the Danny Garcia-Zab Judah bout in April in which Garcia will aim to defend his title for the third time against the resurgent Judah, who is back in the picture despite getting knocked out by Amir Khan two years ago in his most recent shot at a world title.